Hydraulic torque wrench



' Filed March 10, 1948 y 1951 w. J. BORTLE ETAL 2,560,716

HYDRAULIC TORQUE WRENCH 3 Sheets-Sheet l Inventors William J. Barf/e Char/est. Runs/raw y 1951 w. J. BORTLE ETAL 2,560,716

' HYDRAULIC TORQUE WRENCH Filed March 10-, 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventors William J. Bart/e Charles E. Runs/raw 22 I I Y B WWW Attoe ys July 17, 1951 Y W. J. BORTLE El'AL HYDRAULIC TORQUE WRENCH v 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 10, 1948 William J. Barf/e Charles E. Runs/10w Patented July 17, 1951 OFFICE 2,560,716 HYDRAULIC TORQUE WRENCH William J. Bortle, Wireton, Pa., and Charles E. Ranshaw, Wilmington, Del.

Application March 10, 1948, Serial No. 14,133

This invention appertains to novel and useful improvements in tools, particularly adapted for use in applying torque to a work piece.

An object of this invention is to apply a predetermined torque to a screw, lug, bolt or the like.

Another object of this invention is to hydraulically maintain the work engaging handle in a selected position until a predetermined torque is applied.

Another object of this invention is to selectively regulate the amount of torque which might be applied to a work piece, then permit the handle to move harmlessly.

Another object of this invention is to engage the work by an arm, then urge the arm by means of a rod, the urging being transmitted on a piston in a hydraulic cylinder, resistance being supplied against the movement of the piston until a predetermined force is supplied to the piston, at which time the force will override the urging of the piston.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplified device which permits only a predetermined torque to be applied on a nut, bolt, lug or the like.

Other objects and features of novelty will become apparent to those skilled in the art, in following the description of the preferred forms of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational side view of one form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the invention shown in Figure 1, showing the same utilized in association with a conventional work engaging tool;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the invention illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an end view of trated in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of the invention shown in Figure 3, taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 5 thereof and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure '7 is a perspective view of a selected element of the invention, portions being removed to illustrate details of construction;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the handle for use in association with the details shown in Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a side elevational View of the second the invention illusform of the invention, portions being broken away to illustrate details of construction;

3 Claims. (01. 8152.4)

Figure 10 is a plan view of the invention illustrated in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a side elevational View of a portion of the second form of the invention, portions being shown in section to illustrate details of construction, and;

Figure 12 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 12-12 of Figure 11 and in the direction of the arrows.

This invention has been developed to provide a device for applying a predetermined torque to a screw, lug, bolt or any other element which is to be turned either for fastening or unfastening purposes. As is well known certain bolts and nuts should receive a predetermined amount of torque in order to fasten them properly. One example of such a construction is in association with in ternal combustion engines, wherein the head bolts are to be applied with such force as to maintain them tightly, however, if too much force is applied they will invariably break.

It is one of the prime purposes of the invention to provide a practical device of the nature described which may be easily carried or transported.

The general operation of the invention is as follows: A housing is provided which has a bore therein and a piston slidably received in the bore. The piston may either directly communicate with an orifice provided in a partition within the bore or an alternate means may be utilized in association with such a construction. How ever, the piston is hydraulically communicated with any suitable fluid within the piston and this fluid is trapped within one zone, on one side of the said partition. By regulating the compressive force of a spring urging the piston in the orifice and by engaging the work piece by means of a pivoted arm associated with the housing, a

predetermined force may be applied to the work piece by turning the housing and having an element of the pivoted arm engage the piston either directly or indirectly in order to overcome the spring tension of the compressor spring. Until the tension is overcome, the force exerted on the housing or handle will turn the nut, screw or the like. However, when this spring tension is overcome the handle will simply turn forcing the plunger in and not afiecting the work piece.

Means for regulating the tension of the said spring urging the piston is provided, whereby selective amounts of torque may be applied to the work piece in accordance with the exigencies of the job at hand and in accordance with the desire of the operator of the invention.

Referring now to the specific structure of the first embodiment of the invention, attention is directed to Figures 1-8 inclusive. A housing I is provided with a partition I2 extending across the bore I4 thereof. This housing also has an extension I6 either integral or welded thereto for a purpose to be described subsequently.

In this form of the invention a handle I8 is provided with bifurcations and 22respectively at one end thereof and an aperture extending through the said bifurcations. A pivot pin of conventional description is adapted to be positioned in the aligned apertures and in a suitable aperture 24 formed in the angular portion or link 26 projecting from the said extension I-6. By this construction, it is apparent that the handle is pivotally associated with the housing I10.

A sleeve type insert 28 is supplied in the said housing I0 and has a plunger or piston '30 reciprocatively received therein. This plunger is resiliently biased by means of a spring 32 which seats on one end of the said piston and within a suitable cup-like element 34, secured to the base of the housing within the bore I-4 thereof. A suitable lug or protuberance 36 may be formed integral with the said piston 30 in order to maintain the spring 32 in a fixed position relative to lateral movement within the said bore I4.

The said handle I8 is provided with a protuberance 38 formed integral therewith, which protuberance engages the exterior end of the said piston 30. A suitable aperture or the like may be supplied through the end of the extension I6 and the continuation 26 thereof. In this aperture there may be fitted the conventional rectangular socket maintaining lug '40. If it is found desirable this socket maintaining lug may be secured permanently to these elements I6 and 26 or, may be formed integral therewith. This is but a matter of choice of construction.

A conventional socket may be -fitted over the lug or pin 40 for engaging a conventional nut, bolt or the like. The pivoted handle 'I 8 may then be actuated, the protuberance 38 seating on the terminal of the piston 30. As the handle is moved, the conventional nut is turned however, when the resistance of the nut is of such proportions that the resistance through. turning of the piston is overcome, the handle I8 will urge the piston 39 downwardly against the force of the spring 32 and the indication of the proper amount of torque is completed and effected.

mans for supplying resistance to movement of the piston 39 is provided. The means illustrated in the first form of the invention is seen best in Figure 5 wherein a plunger or rod 44 is slidably received in a suitable boss 46 formed integral with the end of the housing I0. The said boss 40 may be externally threaded in order to adjustably accommodate a cap or closure 48. Further, a spring is seated in the cap 48 and bears against one end of the said rod M. By manipulating the said cap 48 the compression of the spring 150 may be regulated and of course, suitable indicia might be placed on the said cap 48 as calibrated in accordance with the inherent resiliency of the spring.

The opposite end of the said rod 44 seats in a suitable orifice formed in the said partition I2. As the fluid. in the housing I0 is compressed by means of the movement of the piston 30, it is forced toward the said orifice 52 and against the terminal portion of the said rod '44. When this force reaches a predetermined value the spring 50 will compress permitting the fluid to rush from one side of the partition to the other and allowing the piston to react against the resiliency of the spring 32, which is used for piston return purposes.

While the spring 32 is returning the said piston 30, a suction is created within the housing, drawing the fluid within the chamber disposed on the opposite side of the partition I2, through a check valve generally indicated at '54. The preferable form of the check valve consists of a removable insert 56 which is threadedly received in the said partition I2. A valve plug or plunger 58 is received inthe insert and cooperates with a suitable orifice formed in the said partition I2. A spring 60 seats against a detachable end plate 62 of the said insert56 and against the said valve plunger or plug 58. This of course maintains the plug or plunger 58 in the closing position at all times until reacted on by means of the movement of the piston 30 in the direction normally urged by the said spring '32.

Referring now to the second form of the invention, attention is directed primarily to Figures 9-1 2. Here, a housing I0 is supplied with a bore I2 at one end thereof and a recess I4 aligned therewith. An extension 16 is pivotally associated with the :said housing I0 through the medium of the pin 18 which is offset relative to the longitudinal axis of both the housing I0 and the said extension I6. The :above described work engaging lugs 40 may be used in association with one terminal portion of the said extension I6, if found desirable.

A rod is threadedly received in asuitable central bore formed in the housing I0 and extends through a handle-like formation 82 formed integral with the said housing and forming a portion thereof. A suitable indicia bearing knob 84 maybe supplied on one terminal portion of the said rod 80 and a cap or cage 88 may be secured to the opposite end of the said rod. For assembly purposes the said cage may be attached by means of a-suitable screw 90 and, resilient biasing means, preferably the spring 92 is seated in the said cap.

The oppoite end of the said spring 92 rests in a bore 94 formed at one end of a spring loaded piston 96. This piston or valve is slidably received in the said bore I2 and communicates with an aperture 98 formed in the partition I00. Of course, the partition separates the bore I2 into separate compartments and if it is found desirable, sleeves I02 and I04 respectively may be supplied in each side of the bore 12.

A centrally apertured closure cap I06 may be supplied at one end of the said bore I2 by means of a threaded connection. And, a plunger or piston I08 is slidably received through the said apertured cap or closure I06 and in the said sleeve I04. Hydraulic fiuid may be supplied in the said bore to be communicated back and forth through the orifice 98.

The operation of this form of the invention is very similar to the operation of the aforementioned embodiment however, it will be noted that the offset pivot 18 permits both elements I6 and the housing I0 to be axially aligned and further, the said elements 16 and I0 may be folded relative to each other for transportation purposes.

When the predetermined force is applied to the piston I08, the fluid in the bore I2 rushes through the orifice 98, urging the piston 96 against the compressive force of the spring 92. This permits the fluid to flow through the orifice and permits the housing I0 and extension I6 to be mutually pivoted. The compression in the spring 92 is regulated by adjustment of the rod 80 'threadedly in the said housing and handle.

While there has been described and illustrated but preferred forms of the invention, it is apparent that certain variations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, limitation is sought only in accordance with the scope of the following claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A regulatable torque application wrench comprising a housing having a bore, a piston in the bore, resilient means for biasing said piston,

a wall having an orifice for seating said piston,

controllable means for compressing said resilient .biasing means, an arm pivoted to said housing, a plunger slidably received in said housing and engaging said arm, work engaging means associated with said arm, said resilient biasing means comprising a spring seated on said piston, said compressing means comprising an axially adjustable rod coaxially disposed with respect to said plunger and carried by said housing and having said spring seated thereon.

2. A regulatable torque application wrench comprising a housing having a bore, a piston in the bore, resilient means for biasing said piston, a wall having an orifice for seating said piston, controllable means for compressing said resilient biasing means, an arm pivoted to said housing and 3 forming a longitudinal extension thereof, a plunger slidably received insaid housing and engaging said arm, work engaging means associated with said arm, said arm having its pivot offset from the longitudinal axis of said housing and said housing and said arm being axially aligned when in operation.

3. The combination of claim 1 and said arm REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,191,725 Pepperdine Feb. 27, 1940 2,244,185 Bakewell June 3, 1941 2,398,392 Page Apr. 16, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 480,516 Great Britain Feb. 23, 1938 109,874 Australia Feb. 20, 1940 

